Type-writing machine.



A. S. DENNIS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19, I913- 1,226,643.

Patented May 22, 1917. F I6. I.

INVENTOR:

ATTO EY UNITED sTATEs PATENT onnic ADOLPHUS DENNIS, OF LAKEWOODQOHIO,ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATIONOF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed April 19, 1913. Serial No. 762,180.

To all echo-m, it may concern:

Be it known that I, AnoLPHUs S. DENNIS, a citizen of the United'States,residing in Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,have-invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-WritingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for re leasably connecting theline-space wheel to the platen. I v v An object. of this invention is toproduce a simple but efficient clutching mechanism.

A furtherobject is toprovide' a device that may be easily attached witha minimum amount of changes to existing machines.

The invention further provides improved means to prevent the platen fromturning too freely while the line-space wheel is unclutchedtheref'rom,,thereby facilitating accurate and line adjustments of theplaten,

and preventing accidental displacement of the platen from its adjustedposition.v

The line-space wheel is mounted for both rotation and longitudinalmovement on the platen axle and is formed with a clutch face movableinto and out of frictional engagement with a clutch disk fixed. to theplaten axle, to connect and disco nect the .platen to and from theline-space w eel. A spring pressed sleeve on the axle bears against theline-space wheel and normally holds the latter against the clutch disk.The sleeve may be retracted to release the wheel by means of a leverhaving a hub journaled on the sleeve between a collar or shoulder on thesleeve and a cam on the platen frame cooperating with a cam on said hub,so that when the lever is rocked, the cams retract the sleeve andrelease the wheel. The spring by which the sleeve is caused to bearagainst the line-space wheel, may re-act between the sleeve and theplaten, or a part connected to the platen, (when the line-space wheel isreleased), to apply, an endwise pressure to the platen. The frictionthus produced between the platen and its bearings prevents the platenfrom turning too freely, and thereby aids in accurate and fine adustments of the platen, and prevents the platen from being thrown out 0adjustment by the operation of the clutch.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. a

p it may be'fo'rced upon the disk '10. The

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the parts 65 in an inoperative orreleased position;

Fig. 5 shows the position of the clutchcontrolling lever cams when theclutch is released, as shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 6,7 and 8 are detail perspectives of the various parts comprisingthe clutch mechanism.

' The platen 1 is fixed upon an axle 2 journaled in the ends of theplaten frame 3, and may be rotated by means of a hand wheel 4 or aline-space ratchet wheel 5. The wheel 5 is driven by a pawl 6 pivotedupon a sliding bar 7 operated by a bell crank 8, and the slide bar isreturned to normal position by a spring -9. The line-space wheel 5 ismounted loosely upon the platen axle 2- and is connected to the platenby means of a clutch comprising a bevel edged disk 10 fast on platenaxle 2 and seated in a bevel edged depression 11 'cut in the inner faceof the line-space wheel so that when the linespace wheel is forced uponthe disk 10, they will become frictionally connected. The ratchet-wheel5 is movable axially so that clutchis normally kept closed by means of aspring 12 forcing a sleeve 14 loose on the shaft 2 against the hub ofthe line-space wheel. The spring 12 may be confined in a housing formedin the sleeve 14, the in.- ternal diameter of the sleeve being enlargedfor a portion of its length to accommodate the spring and to telescopeover the reduced end of the hub 15 of hand wheel 4.

The platen 1 is releasable from the linespace wheel 5 by a lever 16fastened to or formed integral with a hub 17 having a series of cams orinclined surfaces 18 to cooperate with a like series of cam surfaces 19on a plate or support 20 fixed to'the' platen frame 3. The hub 17 isconfined between the plate 20 and a collar 14 on the sleeve 14 so I.that when the lever 16 is p Figure 1 shows the invention applied toplaten can now rotate independently of the wheel, and may be adjusted toany desired position while the wheel is held stationary by the usualholding detent 23. The lever is then returned and permits the clutch toagain lock the platen to the wheel.

When the lever 16 is in position to release the clutch, the spring'12 isunder compression between the sleeve 14 and the inner end of the hub 15,whereby an endwise pressure is applied to the platen. As a powerfulspring 12 is employed to make the clutch effective, the pressure appliedby the spring to the platen, when the clutch is released, producessuflicient friction between the platen frame and the platen to preventthe platen from turning too freely. An accurate and fine rotaryadjustment of the platen is thusfacilitated, and the platen heldagainst'accidental displacement from its adjusted position, eitherbefore the lever 16 is operated to connect the clutch parts, or duringsuch operation.

Dwell portions 18 19 respectively are provided for the cam surfaces 18,19, said dwell surfaces becoming opposed when the clutch is released toretain it in that condition until the leven16 is swung back forreengagement of the platen and line-space wheel.

The operating lever 16 is limitedin its movements by stops 21' formed onthe body of said lever, striking a pin 22 on the detent 23. v

Variations may be. resorted to within the scope of the invention, andportions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platenaxle, a platen fixed upon said axle, a bevel edged disk carried by theaxle, a linespace wheel loose upon said axle and having a bevel edgeddepression in its side, a spring to move said line-space wheel axiallyonto said disk'to lock the line-space wheel and platen together, aleverswinging transversely to the movement of the carriage, a series ofcams on said lever, a second series of cams, and a support for saidlast-named cams, the two series of cams cooperating to .control theaction of said spring to lock or unlock said line-space wheel to or fromsaid platen.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of apl'aten frame, a platenaxle, a platen fixed upon said axle, a bevel edged disk carried by theaxle, a line-space wheel loose upon said axle and having a bevel edgeddepression in its side, a spring to move said line-space wheel axiallyonto said disk to lock the line-space wheel and platen together,a leverswinging transversely to the movement of the carriage, a series of camsonsaid lever, a. second series of cams, a supplaten frame, a platenaxle, a platen fixed upon said axle, a line-space wheel loose uponsaidaxle, a clutch between said line-space wheel and platen, a leverhaving a hub mounted upon the platen axle and formed with a cam on thehub, a cam on the platen frame cooperating with the cam on the lever tothrust said lever endwise along the platen axle, and means operated bysaid movement of the lever along the axle to release the clutch.

4. The combination of a platen frame, of a rotatable platen supportedthereby, a line feeding device for rotating said platen, releasableconnecting means between said platen andsaid feeding device, a.rotatable lever and a member mounted on the platen frame cooperatingwith said lever and causing said lever, by the rotation thereof withrespect to the platen, to move longitudinally of the platen fordisconnecting said platen from the line feeding device' 5. Thecombination with.a platen frame, a platen axle journaled therein and aplaten fixed to the axle, of a line-space wheel loose on the axle, aclutch device to connect'the line-space wheel with the axle, a sleevemounted on the axle and slidable longitudinally thereof to efl'ect aclutching engagement between said wheel and clutch device, a spring tooperate said sleeve in one direction, a lever mounted on said sleeve andbearing against a collar formed on said sleeve, anda cam'between saidlever and the platen frame for retracting said sleeve and compressingthe spring when the lever is rotated.

6. The combination with a platen frame, a platen axle journaled thereinand a platen fixed to said axle, of a line-space wheel loose on theaxle, clutch mechanism for connect:

ing the line-space wheel to rotate with the axle, a lever mounted forrotation on the platen axle, a cam on said lever, a cooperating cam onthe frame whereby the lever is moved longitudinally of the axle whenrotated, and a connection between said lever and clutch device foroperating the latter through said longitudinal movement of the lever.

7. The combination with a rotatable platenand a platen axle, of aline-space wheel rotatable on the axle, a hand wheel secured to theaxle, a sleeve slidably mounted on the axle and having its internaldiameter enlarged at the end and telescoping with the hub of the handwheel, a coil spring housed it normally remains at rest while the platenrotates, said lever being rotatable about the platen axis and movableduring said rotation, through a limited range in a plane transverse tothe platen, and means operated by said lever during 'said movementto'free the line-space wheel from the clutch member. I

9. The combination with a platen frame and a platen revolubly supportedthereby, of

anindependently revoluble line-space wheel,

clutch mechanism for connecting the line space wheel to revolve-with theplaten, a lever so supported that it normally remains at rest while theplaten rotates, said lever capable of axial movement and of swingingtransverselyof the platen, a cam on said lever, a cooperating cam on theframe whereby the lever moves axially when swung transversely, and aconnection between said lever and clutch mechanism for operating thelatter through the axial movement of the lever.

10. In a typewriting vmachine, thecombi; nation of a platen frame,aplaten, a platen axle, a friction clutch disk fixed on the axle,

i a line-space wheel rotatable on the axleand having a clutch face tocooperate with said disk, said wheel being movable longitudi nally ofthe axle into and out of clutching engagement with the disk, a levernormally at rest while the platen rotates, and a cam carried with thelever and operable to cam the lever ina direction longitudinally of theplaten axis as the lever is rotated, the" lever being operable by itsmovement longitudinally of the platen axis to. control said movement ofthe line-space wheel longitudinally of the axle.

11. The combination with a platen frame having a platen axle and aplaten connected thereto, of a clutch member fixed to the axle, aline-spacewheelflrotatable on the axle and movable longitudinally of.the axle into clutching engagement with said clutch member, springmeans to move said wheel into clutching position, a lever rotatableabout an axis extending in the direction of the platen axis, means tomove the lever in the direction of its axis as it rotates, and meansoperated by the lever to free the line-space wheel from the clutchmember.

12. The combination with a platen frame tudinally thereof to force theline-space wheel against said clutch disk, and adevice comprising a cam,normally at rest during the rotation .of the platen, said device op-=erable to revolve the cam about the platen axis and cause it todirectly engage and move said sleeve along the axle.

13. The combination with a rotatable platen, a .line feeding 'device forrotating said platen, releasable connecting means between said platenand said line feeding de vice, an operating device for said connectingmeans comprising a lever rotatable about the platen axis and movable byits rotation longitudinally thereof, a cam carried by said lever and aspring mounted outside the platen frame and acting through the mediumofsaid cam to hold said lever against rotational and longitudinalmovement.

, 14. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen frame, ofa. revoluble platen supported thereby, a friction clutch disk in fixedrelation to said platen, an independently revoluble line-space wheelhaving a clutch surface to cooperate with said disk and axially movableinto and out of clutch engagement with said disk, means including alever movable axially to control the axial movement offthe-lin'e-spacewheel,

platen, an independently revoluble linespace wheel movable axially intoand out of clutching engagement with said clutch member, spring means,to move said line-space of a clutch member in fixed relation to saidwheel into clutching position; and. means comprising a cam rotatableabout theplaten axis, and so supported that the platen norinally rotatesindependently thereof, said cam being positioned between the platenframe'and said spring means, and operable through a limited range toshift said means and thereby permit the line-space wheel to move axiallyand release said. clutch engagement, permitting the platen to rotateindependently of the line-space wheel.

16. The combination with a platen frame and a rotatableplaten, of a linefeeding de vice for rotating said platen, releasable connecting meansbetween said platen and said line feeding device, an operating devicefor said connecting means, a cam rotated by said operating devlce tocontrol said releasable connecting means on movement of said operatingdevice, and a spring mounted outside .platen the platen frame actingthrough said cam to hold said operating device in normal position byreason of the camming action, said cam acting against said spring onrotation of said cam to hold said lever in its operated position, saidspring when so acted on by said cam also acting to apply an increasedpressure tosaid platen, preventing its too free rotation whendisconnected from the line feeding device.

17. The combination witha platen frame, a rotatable platen and a linefeeding device for rotating said platen, of releasable connecting meansbetween the platen and said line feeding device, an operating device forsaid connecting means, said operating device being mounted for rotationon the platen axis and acting when rotated to control said releasableconnecting means, a cam onsaid operating device, a second cam with whichsaid first cam cooperates, said cams having cooperating dwell portionsand a spring mounted outside the platen frame acting through the mediumof said dwell portions to hold said operating means in its operatedposition when rotated'to control said connecting means, said spring alsoacting through the medium of said cams to apply an increased pressure/tosaid platen, preventing it from too free rotation when disconnected fromthe line feeding device.

18 In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, aplaten, a platen axle, a friction clutch-disk fixed on the axle, aline-space wheel rotatable on the axle and having -'a clutch face tocooperate with said disk, said wheel movable longitudinally of theaxle'into and out of clutchingengagement with the'disk, aspring to holdsaid wheel and disk in frictional engagement, means to relieve the wheelof the pressure of the spring to release said wheel from the disk, andmeans to transmit pressure of the spring to the platen independently ofsaid wheel and thereby frictionally hold the platen against too free'arotation.

19; In a typewriting machine, the-combr nation of a platen frame,- aplaten axle, a fixed on said axle, a line-space wheel loose on the axle,meansforming with said wheel a clutch to 'releasably connect the wheeland platen,-said wheel movable longitudinally of the platen into and outof clutching position, a spring to move said wheel into clutchingposition, and means to move said wheel out of clutching position, and tocause the spring to react between the platen frame and the platen in adirection to apply an, endwise pressure to the platen and frictionallyhold the platen against too free a rotation in its bearings, and therebyfacilitate rotative adjustment of the platen relative tothe line-spacewheel while disconnected from said wheel.

20. Thecombination with a rotaryplatenand a platen axle, of a line-spacewheel loosely mounted on the duces a frictional holding pressure betweensaid' platen and its bearings so that the platen is prevented fromrotating too freely while disconnected from the linespace wheel.

21. The combination with a platen frame and a platen having an axlejournaled in the frame, of a line-space wheel mounted on the axle forrotation relative to the platen, a friction clutch disk fixed to theaxle, said wheel movable longitudinally of the axle into and out offrictional holding engagement with the disk, a sleeve mounted on theaxle, a clutch spring reacting'between said sleeve and a part fixed tothe axle,to move the sleeve longitudinally of the axle and cause it tohold the said sleeve against said disk, meansto move said sleeve inopposition to the spring to freethe line-space wheel and cause thespring to react. between the platen frame and the platen, whereby thelatter is frictionally held with an endwise pressure againstthe platenframe, to

prevent the platen from rotating too freely while disconnected from theline-space wheel.

TITUS H. IRONS; F. E. ALEXANDER.

axle, a' clutch part fixed to said axle, said line-space wheel move ablelongitudinally of the axle into and out

